The PACT Act and VA Benefits – File Intent Now for 12 Months Backdated

Claims received by August 10 will be eligible for 12 months of backdated compensation

Thanks to the PACT Act, <https://tinyurl.com/jcbmx6bf> millions of Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances are now eligible for VA health care and benefits.

While there is no deadline to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, there is urgency. Most Veterans and survivors who apply <https://tinyurl.com/mry2skt>for benefits or submit an “Intent to File” <https://tinyurl.com/yc6m8fj6> by August 9, if granted, will have their benefits backdated to August 10th of last year – the day that President Biden signed the PACT Act into law.

If a Veteran files a PACT Act-related claim or ITF after August 10, 2023, they are still entitled to the 12-month retroactive payment. So, for example, if a Veteran files a PACT Act-related claim on 9/10/23, and it is granted, the award would be retroactive to 9/10/22. [This assumes there is evidence of the condition on 9/10/22]. [The citation for this is 38 CFR 3.114(a)(3)].

VA.gov/PACT  <https://tinyurl.com/4p6s33tv>is a one-stop shop to learn about and apply for PACT Act-related care and benefits. They can also apply by calling 1-800-MYVA411.

Learn more about the PACT Act

The PACT Act expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to Burn Pits, Agency Orange, Radiation and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

After the passage of the PACT Act last August, more than 500,000 claims for benefits have been filed by veterans to receive expanded healthcare and benefits entering the month of May.

The PACT Act will bring these changes:

Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
Helps VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
More information from the VA
The VA has established a PACT Act webpage <https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/> to help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. You can also call the VA at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).

To file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care, please contact your local Veteran Service Office in Oregon.